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A Floating Maglev Train
Introduction: We will find the optimum load for a maglev train in motion on a 63-centimeter track. To discover the optimum load, the magnetic field was assessed by carrying various loads. This is due to how magnetic levitation is an approach by which a thing or any object is hanging without any support apart from the magnetic fields. This magnetic levitation approach is utilized for designing this simple maglev train.
Problem Statment: The high cost of maglev systems results from the need for a stand-alone guideway construction but building a maglev prototype like this can help operate maglev systems has demonstrated drastically reduced operating costs and carbon emissions. Another problem is what is its maximum capacity before it touches the track.
Research Question: How much weight it can hold before it touches the tracks? How do magnets react when placed next to the same/opposite poles?
Purpose: Maglev trains float on an air cushion, reducing friction. Because of the lack of friction and the trains' aerodynamic features, they can travel at speeds of more than 310 mph, which is twice as fast as Amtrak's fastest commuter train. The purpose of this experiment is to explore different ways to see if and to what extent floating maglev trains have the potential to be more energy-efficient, faster, and safer than traditional transportation methods.
Hypothesis (Engineering Goal): Building a magnetic levitation train that floats above a magnetic track. Were able to measure how the distance between a levitating train and the tracks changes as you add weight to the train.
Variables:
Independent Variable: was the weight (in ounces), or load, put on the model maglev car.
Dependent Variable: was distance traveled along the 63-centimeter track while carrying the load.The other dependent variable measured floating distance.
Constant Variable: was the construction of the maglev train which didn't change
Materials:
Magnetic tape, 1/2" wide, cut into two 24" pieces and two 5" pieces
90° plastic angle pieces (2), 24" long and 3/4" wide (or wood blocks)
Wood block, 5"×3/4"×1-1/2"
Flat piece of wood or corrugated cardboard, at least 24" long and 3" wide
Clear double-sided tape
mechanical saw
Scissors
Pencil
Paper or plastic cup (or a set of lab weights)
Coins (or a set of lab weights)
Ruler
Kitchen scale
Lab notebook
Research Procedure:
Check that you have the correct magnetic tape before you begin assembling your railway. The strips of monopolar magnetic tape should resist each other if you have it.
Peel the paper backing off two short magnetic strips and connect them to one side of the wooden block. The edges of the strips should align with the block's edges. Your train vehicle will be this block. Use transparent double-sided tape if the magnetic strips aren't adhesive enough to attach to the wood on their own.
To make the basis of your train track, cut a piece of wood or cardboard that is at least 24" long and 3" wide.
Draw five lines lengthwise on the base using one of the long plastic angle pieces as a straightedge.
--> Draw a line through the center of the base, 5 mm to each side of the centerline, draw a line, draw a 20-mm line on either side of the centerline.
adhere to the long magnetic strips and plastic angle pieces to your base. Pay particular attention to the spacing; your train must run smoothly.
Remove the lengthy magnetic strips' paper backing. Place them on the foundation with care, aligning their inside edges with the lines 5 mm from your centerline, and spacing the strips 10 mm apart. Make sure you press down firmly to ensure they stay put.
Attach the plastic angle pieces to the base using double-sided tape so that their inside edges match up with the lines 20 mm from your centerline and they are 40 mm apart.
With the magnetic strips facing down, place your train on the track. It should be able to slide back and forth without becoming stuck, hovering parallel to the tracks.
To Collect Data:
a. Measure the distance between the train and the track with a ruler.
b. Put a paper or plastic cup on top of the train and fill it with pennies. Make sure the cup is centred on the train so it doesn't tilt and stays parallel to the tracks. (If working with lab weights look down to step g.)
c. The new distance between the train and the tracks should be measured. This distance should be recorded in your data table.
d. Measure the bulk of the coins, including the cup, on a kitchen scale. In your data table, write this mass next to the new distance.
e. Fill the cup with more coins. Steps 3–5 should be repeated until the train reaches the tracks (the distances is zero). Each time you add coins, remember to measure and record the distance.
f. For a total of three trials, repeat the entire experiment two more times. Make a new data table for each experiment, dump the cup, and start anew with no weight on the train.
g. when working with lab weights, you will perform the same steps but instead of filling plastic cups with coins, simply replace it with putting the lab weight directly onto the floating train and recording the data each time you change the weight put onto the train. Then measure the data you gathered.
*Safety: Keep magnets out of the reach of little children and pets who could ingest them. We used a mechanical and electrical saw so we made sure to put on goggles and sought the assistance of an adult to make sure there were no injuries.
Results:After the data was collected, it was discovered that the model maglev supported weight in a non-linear fashion. It was very strange to observe, because the closer the magnetic poles came together, the more weight was required to lower the maglev any further distance. A non-linear function regarding the load on the maglev car means the car can support more weight as it gets closer to the track. It was also discovered that it takes a lot of power to get the maglev moving, but once it started, it did not take much energy to maintain the speed. The result details are presented in tables and graphs. we made sure that we dorientated the magnets on the track and train so that they will repel. As shown in our picture the magnets need to be oriented the same way in order for the train to work. Like poles will repel each other, either north to north or south to south.
Pictures:
Above is the 63 centimeter track we constructed and the train(wood) attached with magnets.
This is the final product we were testing after we put it all together on the track
The top view of the maglev train floating and we see that there are gaps between the wood blocks, showing that the train uses the longer wood blocks as support.
This is when we started adding weights to the block to do our trails that is is why there is less gap between the magnets compared to a normal weight.
IMG_1687.MOV
Analysis:
A magnet sitting above a magnetic track won’t just float in the air by itself. Left unsupported, it will tend to rotate and flip around to attract to the magnets in the track. A mechanical constraint is required to keep it stable in our case the side wood we were holding. From the data we can analyze the weights increased from 10g to 300g the gap between the two magnets decreased because of the amount of the weight it was supporting. This shows that there is an indirect relationship.
Conclusion:
One of the most important conclusions to be determined was that a maglev required external propulsion before it began to move, even though it was constantly floating and had no friction. In addition, the optimal load for the model maglev was 300g, which was the maximum amount of weight it could hold, and still move down the track satisfactorily.In our experiment it was tedious to constantly make sure the wooden borders weren't going off the track since the side of the magnet was attracting to the train. Another challenge was stability since the repelling magnets are very unstable. Magnets don't want to repel, so they will do whatever they can to attract. In order to stabilize the train, we added weight which kind of helped. This has future application on industrial equipment such as pumps, generators, motors, and compressors use levitation to support moving machinery without physical contact. The same bearings used to support maglev trains are used in electric power generation, petroleum refining, machine-tool operation, and natural gas pipelines.
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